|
Last edit: 10th Apr 2016 at 1:43pm (3712 days ago) |
|
| ||||||||||
Smallpox
Transmission
The poxvirus variolae can be directly transmitted by being swallowed or inhaled. It can also be spread indirectly, upon clothing or other articles passing from an infected person through third or more parties. It is thought that a dry atmosphere favours its spread. Insanitary or crowded conditions certainly do so.
Precautions
The vaccine (Vaccinium Variolae fluidum dermicum), given in an 0.02ml. dose pressed or scratched into the skin, is mass-produced, readily available and very effective. To afford real protection though, vaccination needs to be renewed every three years.
Methisazone also gives protection. The dose is 3 grams orally, morning and evening. The dose for children is a half or quarter of this, according to age.
During an outbreak of smallpox all crowded places should be avoided, especially those which are poorly ventilated. A thick filter should be worn across nose and mouth.
All bedding and clothing which has been used by an infected person should be burnt.
Extreme hygiene should be practised in enclosed places, especially around cooking and eating areas.
Symptoms
The incubation period is about twelve days.
Days 1 and 2: Chill, a rapid pulse and fever with temperatures which may rise above 104°F./40°C. Stiffness and pain, particularly in the back. A redness round the lower stomach and inside the thighs. Headache, vomiting and constipation. More rarely, these symptoms follow or accompany convulsions.
Day 3: The fever drops. The forehead, especially round the roots of the hair, becomes red. Beneath this rash 'pimples' may be felt.
Days 4 and 5: The 'pimples' have now spread, grown to pea size, and are filled with clear liquid.
Days 8 and 9: The skin eruption has spread, including to the mouth and throat, and its clear liquid contents have turned to yellow pus. The tips of the pustules are now convex. The fever returns, and brings raving or coma.
Days 11 and 12: The fever drops again, and the pustules begin to dry up.
Treatment
Complete rest in an airy, darkened room. Soup and milk diet.
Other agents coming soon!
|
Last edit: 10th Apr 2016 at 1:43pm (3712 days ago) |
|
| ||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||
    |
|||||||||||||||||||||
RIPA NOTICE: NO CONSENT IS GIVEN FOR INTERCEPTION OF PAGE TRANSMISSION | |||||||||||||||||||||
Email this page to a friend
Delicious
Digg
reddit
Facebook
StumbleUpon
